Special Crime investigation with Legal Medicine MODULE

Objectives:
At the end of this chapter students should be able to:
 Importance of Death Determination
 Clinical Types of Death
Changes in the Body After Death

Death - is defined as the absence of life in a living matter. It is the termination of life and
complete loss of vital functions of the body. Thus After death, the organism returns to a
stable equilibrium both physically and chemically.
In human beings, the signs of life include locomotion, respiration, circulation,
brain activity, and the presence of faculty of senses. The ascertainment of death is a
clinical and not a legal problem.
In medico-legal death, it refers to the death which involves a crime or medico-
legal cases to prove or disprove that a foul play had been done.
Importance of Death Determination
1. The personality of a person is extinguished by death.
2. Criminal liability is extinguished by death.
3. Property of a person is transmitted to heirs or nearest of kin.
4. Basis of immediate removal of organs for transplantation.
5. A civil case for the claim is dismissed.
Kinds of Death
1. Somatic or clinical death
It is a complete, continuous, and persistent cessation of respiration,
circulation, and almost all brain functions of an organism. Ordinarily, the
physician will discharge his duty if he listens with a stethoscope for signs of
breathing or beating of heart intermittently for half a minute interval throughout
10-15 minutes as well as examining the eyes by a flashlight will show the pupil
assumes a mid position and dilated and the appearance of the corneal and light
reflexes.
The immediate signs of death in a person are sudden cessation of upward
and downward movements of the chest and the process of respiration, sudden
appearance of pale color of the face and lips, the heart and pulse rate stop, jaw
drops down and flaccidity of the muscles occurs pupils dilated and loss of corneal
and light reflexes.

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Clinical Types of Death

A. Sociological Death - a type of death wherein the withdrawal and separation
from the patient by others producing a sense of isolation and abandonment.
Sociologic death can last for years if the patient is abandoned by the family,
unvisited, and let alone to die.
B. Psychic Death - the condition of death wherein the patient regresses, gives up
surrenders accepting death prematurely, and refuses to continue living.
C. Biologic Death - a type of death characterized by the absence of cognitive
function awareness, although an artificial support system may maintain organs
functioning.
D. Physiologic Death - a type of death when all vital organs cease to function.
2. Molecular Death or Cellular Death
It is the cessation of the life of the individual cells in the body which occurs one at
a time after somatic death. Nerve and brain cells die earlier about 5 minutes after
somatic death while muscle cells live longer until the onset of rigor mortis which
is about 2-6 hours.
3. Apparent Death or State of Suspended Animation
It is a state of temporary cessation of vital activities of the body. This condition is
not death although classified under the kinds of death because the person is still
alive although it seems that there are no signs of life. Apparent death may be
seen in diseases or conditions like uremia, hysteria, drowning, and electrocution
and sometimes in newborn infants.
Signs of Death
Answers to the following questions must be obtained in any case of death is the
subject obtained in any case death which is the subject of an official investigation
These questions are:
1. Is the body dead?
2. How long has the body been dead?
3. What is the cause of death?
External Signs of Death
The most useful signs of death are those which can be detected by the external
examination of the body.
1. Loss of power to move and insensibility of the body as determined by visual
inspection the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord is the
seat of all the faculties of senses and the power of locomotion
2. Stoppage of Respiration.
A person can hold his breath no longer than 3 1/2 minutes.

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A. Upward and downward movements of the chest and abdomen must be

observed. No movement upon death.
B. Palpation of the respiratory movement.
C. Examination with the aid stethoscope. The flow of air can be heard there
is respiration.
D. Mirror Test. Dimming of the mirror due to condensation if respiration is
present.
E. Placing of a feather of cotton fiber in the nostrils and mouth. If there is
movement then respiration is present.
F. Place a glass of water at the chest region. If there is a movement of water
then respiration is present.
G. Winslow Test - There is a stoppage of respiration if there is no movement
of the reflected image on the water on the chest of a person lying on his
back.
3. Stoppage of Heart Action and Circulation.
If there is no heart action for 5-10 minutes, death is considered certain.
Upon death, the heart stops beating in a persistent and continuous which cannot
be revived by cardiac massage and other resuscitative measures for five
minutes. In the case of decapitation and judicial hanging, the heartbeat persists
for 15 minutes-1 hour.

Methods Of Detecting Stoppage of Heart Action And Circulation

a. Heart Action
1. Palpation of the heart
2. Auscultation with the aid of a stethoscope
3. Fluoroscopic examination
4. ElectroCardiogram
b. Examination of the Peripheral Circulation

1. Magnus Test – ligature is tied around the finger, blood zone at the site
of application, and livid area dental to the ligature.
2. Palpation of the radial pulse, carotid pulse, and femoral pulse
3. Icard's Test - Subcutaneous injection of the fluorescin eye. The skin
will exhibit yellowish-green discoloration of the living skin.
4. The reddish color of the web of the fingers when the hand is placed
against a sharp light. This test is called the diaphanous test.

4. Loss of Body Heat Resulting in Cooling of the Body (ALGOR MORTIS)

When life is extinct and heat production in the body stops and its temperature is
lowered gradually to that of the surroundings. lowering body temperature is one of
the earliest signs of death. The rate of fall of the body temperature is most rapid in

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the first four hours after death until it reaches the temperature of its surroundings
beyond 12 hours. The normal body temperature in a living person is 37°C or 98 but
upon death, the temperature gradually decreases. The fall of 15°F to 20°F is
considered the death of the body.

5. Change in the eyes

Upon death, when the eyes are open, the person stares without movement of the
eyes in any direction. Further examination will reveal the following changes in the
eyes.

A. Loss of corneal and Light Reflexes - The cornea will not react winking the
eyes of contraction of the pupil when touched or stimulated using light.
B. Haziness or Clouding of the Cornea – A white patch is maybe seen at the
corneal when the eyes are exposed to a dry atmosphere after death.
C. Fixation of the Pupil - The pupil will be fixed and dilated.
D. Flaccidity of the Eyeball - Inter ocular tension falls to zero because of less
muscle tone.
E. "Tache noir Sclerotique" - described by Sommer in 1833 in a brownish
triangular spot in the Sclera.
6. Changes in the Skin
A. Change of Color - Upon death, the skin of the face, lips, and body
become pale and waxy.
B. Loss of the elasticity of the skin.
C. Absence of Reaction to Injury - Application of heat will not produce
blisters.
Changes in the Body After Death
The changes that occurred in the body at the time of death or within the next few
minutes or hours are very important to be used in determining that death has taken
place in a person.
Stages of Muscular Change
1. Stage of Primary Flaccidity
It is the stage of muscular change upon death characterized by the
relaxation of muscles and loss of their natural tone so the jaw or head
drops down, the thorax collapses, and the limbs become flaccid and the
splinters relax. This is the reason why the dead person may still urinate,
defecate, or excrete waste product of metabolism through pores in the
skin. When muscles are subjected to mechanical or electrical stimuli. the
muscles will contract owing to the presence of the life of the individual
cells. This stage lasts for 4-3 hours after death.
2. Stage of Post Mortem Rigidity or Rigor Mortis
The whole body becomes rigid due to the contraction of the muscles. This

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develops 34 hours after death and may last for 18-36 hours. The stiffness
which develops in the muscles of the body after death depends upon post
mortem chemical changes affecting the glycogen and constituents of the
muscle cytoplasm. For a short time after death. The reaction of the muscle
protoplasm is alkaline and as long as this condition endures the skeletal
muscle remains flexible. In most cases, the reaction changes from alkaline
to acid from 2-6 hours post mortem because of the conversion of glycogen
and other substances to sarcastic phosphoric acids. Rigidity then begins
to develop in the muscles of the face, jaw, per extremities, trunk, and
lower extremities. The process is completed in 2-6 hours. This stiffness
lasts from 12-36 hours.
Conditions Simulating Rigor Mortis
A. Heat Stiffening - A condition characterized by hardening of the muscles
due to coagulation of muscle proteins when the dead body is exposed to
intense heat as by burning or immersion in a hot liquid.
B. Cold Stiffening - A condition characterized by hardening of the muscles
due to solidification of fats, muscles, and fluid when the dead body is
exposed to extremely cold temperature.
C. Cadaveric Spasms or Spontaneous Rigidity - It is the instant stiffening
of a certain group of muscles which occurs immediately at the moment of
death, although its cause is unknown, it is associated with violent death
due to extreme nervous tension, and injury to the central nervous system.
C. Stage of Secondary Flaccidity
A muscular change is characterized by the softness and flaccidity of the muscles
which no longer responses to electrical or mechanical stimuli due to the dissolution
of the muscle proteins that have been previously coagulated during the stage of rigor
mortis. This stage is the onset of putrefaction.
Putrefaction - It is the process of dissolution of tissues by the digestive action of its
enzymes and bacteria that results in softening and liquefaction of tissues are usually
accompanied by the liberation of foul-smelling gases and change of color of the tissues.
Some authorities defined putrefaction as the breaking down of complex proteins,
carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to simpler components by the action of its
enzymes and bacteria resulting in softening and liquefaction, the liberation of putrid
gases, and change in the color of tissues.
The flies will be attracted to the dead body during putrefaction and sipped the
juicy portion of the tissues. The egg will hatch within 24 hours and form maggots and
which again feed vigorously on damaged tissues. Other destructive agents in
decomposition are rodents, lizards, snakes, vultures, ants, and dogs. Fishes and
aquatic mammals when the dead body is in water.
The sequence of Events in Putrefaction of Dead Body in Tropical Country
After 1 - 2 days (24 - 48 hours)
Rigor mortis absent, putrefaction changes, muscles soft and flaccid. Greenish

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discoloration of the abdomen. Some veins beneath the skin as interlacing purplish-
brown network over the shoulder, chest, and abdomen known as marbolization.
3rd day (72 hours)
Abdomen distended with gases, trunk bloated, hair and nails loosened from its
attachment. Blister formation and blebs. Face grossly swollen and discolored. Maggots
were seen.
1 week (7 days)
Further bloating of the body and discoloration of the skin. Bursting of blisters and
denudation of the skin. Soft tissues continue to putrefy.
2 weeks (14 days)
A detachment of the hairs and nails from its attachment. Bursting of the thorax and
abdomen. Further dissolution of more resistant viscera.
1 month - Body completely skeletonized
The speed at which the process of destruction occurs depends on whether the body is
decaying in the air, water, or under the earth. The process is rapid in the air than in the
other 2 media expressed by the old formula which states that week in the air equivalent
to two weeks in the water or 8 weeks in the soil.
3 Special Forms of Putrefaction
A. Mummification
A condition where is the removal of the body fluid before decomposition
sets in results in sinking and preservation of the body.
Natural Mummification - The dead only is buried or exposed to dry hot sandy
soil with considerable air movement. While artificial mummification or embalming
is a form that preserves the dead body by the addition of some chemicals like
formalin, alcohol, phenol, mercury, and arsenic and covering the skin with plaster
of Paris.
B. Saponification or Adipocere Formation
It is a formation of a soft, friable, and brownish white greasy substance.
This substance is called adipocere and formed by the post mortem hydrolysis
and dehydrogenation of the body fats. Adipocere is a soapy or waxy material,
rancid in smell, dissolves in alcohol, and ether when burned produces a yellow
flame.
C. Maceration
It is a condition of the dead body usually the fetus characterized by
softening and discoloration of tissues as well as the formation of blisters due to
the action of autolytic and proteolytic enzymes in the absence of putrefactive
bacteria.
Changes in the Blood after Death
A. Change of Color
After death, the heart stops beating followed by a stoppage of circulation. The
stasis in the circulation will drain the blood from the capillaries and veins to

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accumulate in the most dependent portions of the body due to the pull of gravity
producing discoloration in those areas not subjected to pressure.
Post Mortem Lividity or Livor Mortis
Discoloration of the body after death when blood tends to pool in the blood
vessels of the most dependent portions of the body which appears 20-30 minutes
after death and completes in about 12 hours. The usual color is dull red or
reddish-purple with some bluish-black peterbiae e to rupture of small engorged
capillaries.
Importance of Livor Mortis
1. One of the signs of death
2. Determines the protein maintains by the body after death
Basis in Estimating the Time of Death
1. General Physical Changes
a warm supple of the body with the moist, transparent cornea and moist
lips as well as the absence of post mortem lividity is a condition of recent
death.
2. Post Mortem Lividity or Livor Mortis
The onset of post mortem lividity is 20-30 minutes and completes in about
12 hours.
3. Post Mortem Rigidity or Rigor Mortis
Onset is 3-4 hours after death, completed in about 12 hours. May lasts 24-
36 hours in tropical countries.
4. Onset and Stage of Decomposition
In tropical countries, the onset of decomposition is 1-2 days after death
and skeletonized in a month.
5. Life Cycle of Flies
The egg or ova laid on dead bodies will hatch to form maggots within 24
hours. The maggots will feed vigorously on the damaged dead bodies,
then transform into pupal stage and finally into adult flies within a few
days.
6. Change in the Body Temperature
Upon Dead body temperature decreases gradually until it reaches the
temperature of the environment. The rate of fall of the temperature 18
from 15°F to 20°F is considered as a sign of death.
7. Changes in the blood
The blood remains fluid in the body after death for 6-9 hours.
8. Changes in the Stomach
It usually takes 3-4 hours for the stomach to empty its contents after
meals.
9. Changes in the Hair

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The rate of growth of hair loss has been estimated from 0.4 mm -- -0.5
mm/day.
10. Changes in the Urinary Bladder
The amount of urine in the bladder may indicate the time of death when
taken into consideration the time when a person urinates or evacuates his
urinary bladder.
11. States of Clothing
If the dead person is well dressed, it is more likely that death occurs at day
time, but if wearing pajamas of nightgowns, it is possible that death occurs
at night and probably at home.
12. Presence or Absence of Fleas in the clothing of dead Person in Water
If fleas in the Clothing of a drowned person are still alive, the person has
been in the water less than 24hours. Survival of the fleas is not possible if
they are in the water for more than 24 hours.
Presumption of Death
Disputable Presumption - Rules of court Sec. 96 Rule 123, that a person not heard,
seen, or absent for seven years is dead.
A person on board a vessel who was lost during a sea voyage or an airplane that
is missing who had not been heard for 4 years.
A person in the military or armed forces who has taken part in the war and has
been missing for 4 years.
A person who has been in danger of death under other circumstances and his
existence has not been known for 4 years.
Presumption of Survivorship
The presumption of survivorship of persons as to who died first can be interred
from the strength, age, sex of the person concerned.
 If both were under the age of 15 years, the elder is presumed to have survived.
 If both were above the age of 60, the younger is presumed to have survived.
 If one is under 15 and the other above 60 years old, the former is presumed to
have survived.
 If both be over 15 and under 16 years old and the sexes are different, the male is
presumed to have survived, if the sexes are the same, then the older is
presumed to have survived.
 If one is under 15 or over 60 years old and the other between those ages, the
latter is presumed to have survived.

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TOPIC LINK FOR VIDEO

The fascinating process of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFJrow7yaec&has

human decomposition _verified=1&bpctr=1609491065

Medicolegal aspect of Death

investigation | Meaning of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WVO_5RArE4
death
Rigor Mortis, Livor Mortis,
Pallor Mortis, Algor Mortis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=intBEYKlaGY
Forensic Science Explains
Stages of Death

Refference:
Solis, P. P. Legal medicine . Manila : Beltran Educational Supply.
Lagonera, M. G. (2010). Legal medicine. Quezon City : Wiseman's Books Trading.